Naturally we are hugely disappointed that the RS900 has not been selected as the women’s Olympic skiff. It was recommended for selection by ISAF’s Equipment Committee who carried out the most detailed examination of all the entrants and judged it to best fit the criteria – a spectacular boat that would suit the size of sailors specified.

However, in the end the argument around the ISAF Council table focussed on the advantages of an elite skiff (RS900 or MacKay 49erFX) versus the universality offered by the 29erXX through low cost and existing distribution of the 29er hull. This focussed the voting and the MacKay won out due to its advantages of an established common platform with the men’s skiff and the fact it was liked at the trials due to its performance through being the biggest.

We at RS are proud that we met the criteria and developed an ideally suited boat that is a true credit to our own team, the suppliers involved and the RS name.

We will, of course, forever be convinced that the RS900 would have been the best boat for the women’s skiff, able to be sailed by Asian women as well as their western counterparts – affordable enough to build a wider class and develop women’s skiff sailing into a significant part of our sport. So we are genuinely sad tonight that this is not to be.

I would especially like to thank the many international sailors whose encouragement and support for the RS900 has been incredible.

We congratulate MacKay Boats on their successful selection campaign and wish the FX Class well for the future.

www.rssailing.com

New RS International Class Associations and Websites

RS boats are spreading around the world fast and a new structure for each of the Class Associations has just been launched to support this growth and enable RS sailors everywhere to join their International Association.

Any RS sailor can now join their International Association – the cost is low and it gives everyone a say in the future of their Class, plus access to a vast amount of information and some fabulous events! In countries where a National Association already exists, the fee is a little higher and automatically gives membership of both the International and National Associations.   Joining one fleet’s International Assocation gives you reciprocal membership to the other RS Associations.
We believe the launch of our new International Associations is an exciting step for the growth of our classes all around the world.

The International Associations are responsible for major event planning, maintenance of Class Rules, Class communications (including websites) and all other aspects that allow every owner and crew member to enjoy their RS. All this work creates the one-design ethos which ensures RS boats hold their value long term. It is, therefore, crucial that all RS sailors support their International Class Association by joining.

You can access and join each RS International Class Association via www.RSsailing.org – and navigate from there to the National web pages.  These new RS websites are all new and are still being tweaked; we would appreciate your comments.   They are yours so if there is anything you would like to add at any time – news, tips, photos – please let us know.   The new sites have forums – these will be the place to find the answers to your technical questions and chat with fellow fleet sailors.   They will ultimately replace the yahoo groups. The forums are linked from the UK and International websites making us a truly international community.  

Please join up.

Heather Chipperfield
heatherc@rs-association.com

With many thanks to the 12 RS300 Association members who voted on the recent proposed rule change.  All voters voted for the proposed amendment, so this will be added to the class rules.   The updated class rules will be on the website, under 'Documents', next week, or available from the Association office.

To reiterate the changes -

Add to Appendix 3, the following:
1.3.16.  The mainsheet system may utilise no more than 4 blocks, of which 2 must be attached to the boom in the standard positions, and up to 2 may be attached to the deck in the standard positions.  One of the blocks may be a ratchet type.

Modify Appendix 3, 1.2.9 to read:
1.2.9.  Mainsheet swivel jammer/ratchet device and deck attachment fitting.

Purpose
To allow the mainsheet system to be customised to suit the individual in such a way that no alterations are required to the boat or boom and no additional parts need be purchased.

Rationale
Sheeting directly from the boom rather than from a final block on the floor has been commonplace in dinghy sailing for decades.  Some RS300 sailors are already using this technique, but are unable to rig the system with the ratchet block as the final block.  The rule change would allow sheeting off the boom via the ratchet block, and would allow any unused blocks to be removed to declutter the deck.